A coalition of industry groups whose members rely heavily on GPS — from the aviation to agricultural sectors — was established this week with a major goal, says one of its leading members: getting legislation passed that will hold Ligado Networks liable if its 5G network interferes with signals from the space-based navigation system.
would make Ligado responsible for any interference its fifth-generation wireless network may cause to GPS signals. The legislation is expected to be introduced Thursday by Senate Armed Services Committee leaders Jim Inhofe and Jack Reed , who are responding to similar concerns from the Department of Defense, which operates the GPS constellation, and the Department of Homeland Security. Both agencies opposed the FCC license to Ligado.This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.It stems from a similar group about a decade ago when this issue was first brought to light with the interference of GPS.
GPS requires a very quiet neighborhood … to be accurate. The concern with Ligado … is that it’s like bringing in that loud neighbor. … That’s the concern. That’s what we’re trying to prevent.
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